Care centre’s jazzy Sophiatown Happy Hour

Cedar Park staff: Phumudzo Nephiphidi, Adolphina Magwete, Cleo Makhanya, Doli Ncube, Shirley Makwarela and Thizwi Ramavhoya.

The residents and staff of Rand Aid’s Ron Smith Care Centre were treated to a wonderful Happy Hour event on March 27. The designated hosts of the evening were the staff and residents of River Lodge One, and they planned, plotted and prepared for the Happy Hour with the intention of celebrating the music, dance, food and culture of Sophiatown in the 50s.

Debbie Christen, Manager: Recreational Programmes explains: “The staff and residents of the whole care centre were invited to dress in the fashion of the 50s, so many of the ladies wore smart dresses, hats, gloves, handbags and jewellery, whilst some of the female staff dressed according to the male dress code of the era: shirts, ties, braces, and trousers, topped with a jaunty fedora on their head. Still others opted for a jacket and tie, topped with a tweed poor boy cap. Everyone showed a lot of creativity with their fashion and when prizes were presented to the best and most authentically dressed, the recipients were wildly applauded.”

When guests arrived in the main dining room, they were delighted with the decorations, most of which were made by staff and residents in the OT Activity Centre. Tins decorated with colourful African designs and cheerful paper sunflowers contained silhouettes of Sophiatown musicians, saxophones, trumpets and ladies dressed in their 50s finery. Old LP records were used to underline each place setting on the tables and colourful balloons added to the festive atmosphere.

Home-made ginger beer, vetkoek with cheese, chicken pies, boerewors slices and iced ginger cakes as well as wine and sherry were the delicious food and beverage offerings and were enjoyed by all. Once the snacks and drinks were served it was time for the entertainment.

Both the staff and residents of River Lodge One had spent many weeks making up and practising some special dances for everyone’s pleasure. As there was a whole type of culture that formed in Sophiatown which was based on pennywhistle music, kwela dancing, beer brewing and weekend dance parties, the staff danced to Miriam Makeba’s song, Pata Pata, then did the Kwela Jive to music by Hugh Masekela and Mafikizolo. 

This was followed by the residents doing a lively Chair Dance to a piece of music by Mango Groove. The final staff dance was performed to Yvonne Chaka Chaka’s song, Umqombothi, in which they acted and danced out a story of the women of Sophiatown working hard to make and serve the special African Beer that their men folk demanded every weekend in the shebeens. This dance created much laughter as the audience recognized the authenticity of the performance – it was very real!  

Zabeth Zühlsdorff, Rand Aid’s General Manager: Advanced Division commented: “What a delightful evening and I am so pleased I attended. It was clear that this was much more than an event. The care and thought that went into planning, preparing and practising was evident; also the enjoyment and anticipation it created – amongst both residents and staff.

“Congratulations and thanks to everyone who had a hand in this – the joy it brought to all who attended was evident.

“In between all the fun and laughter. I also witnessed tender loving care… and many other little incidences which spoke of the affection between residents and staff from all the wings… it is great to see how relationships have developed.”

The hosts of the Sophiatown-themed Happy Hour – Ron Smith Care Centre River Lodge One staff and residents.

Woodlands staff: Joyce Mabowa, Lily Mathebula, Mildred Nyoni, Iketeleng Kunyane, Christine Kasanda, and Charity Ngobese.

Winner of the Best Dressed Resident prize: Mariana Duvenage.

Cleo Makhanya and Anastasia Thula dance the Kwela Jive.

Rand Aid’s Salina Mtshali, Zabeth Zühlsdorff, Debbie Christen and Bianca Richards.

Lakeside staff - Back row: Tondani Mudau, Nikiwe Thengwayo, Molly Matroos (resident), Ivonne Moguru and Linda Ngwenya. Front row: Jennifer Sigida and Germinah Baloyi.

River Lodge 1 Staff: Francinah Mawasha, Prudence Sengoeneng, Thili Sibiya, Hope Siboto, Juliet Malatjie, and Brenda Ratema.

Riverlodge 3 staff: Nolly Mlandu, Pascaline Kamela, Wendy Mdka and Winnie Morero.

River Lodge 2 Staff: Back: Tshepo Malatjie and Pretty Lekopa. Middle: Pamela Martins, Lindiwe  Matsimela, Portia Tshayisa and Salina Shiviri. Front: Nomsa Shabangu.

  

The lovely table decor.

Peggy Roberts and Pamela Martins.

Molly Matroos, Germinah Baloyi, Tondani Mudau, Jennifer Sigida and Ivonne Moguru. Front: Sonja Dikken and Louise Newman.

Cedar Park: Ursula Northern, Thizwilwondi, Cleo Makhanya, Irene Droste, and Adolphina Magwete.

Colourful table adds to the cheer.

Pata Pata.

River Lodge one staff dancing the Kwela Jive

Jennifer Sigida and Lorna Topp.

The Chair Dancers from River Lodge 1. Left to right: Mariana Duvenage, Peggy Roberts, Lorraine Lowden,  Josephine Kew, Dolly Luke, Ginny Lorge and Marie Roberts.

Ellen Prinsloo and Germinah Baloyi.

Debbie Christen with the Chair Dancers from River Lodge 1. From the top: Mariana Duvenage, Peggy Roberts, Lorraine Lowden, Josephine Kew, Dolly Luke, Ginny Lorge and Marie Roberts.

The women folk making the famous African Beer (Umqombothi) for the men.

Some fun play acting.

Getting into the spirit of things.

Hope Siboto, Emily Thabang, Hilda Mabaso, Nolly Mlandu, Wendy Mdka and Winnie Morero.